Another 1/2 Marathon!

Joe and I ran our first half marathon together 5 years ago in Chicago on my 26th birthday! We set a goal of doing one every 5 years! So this was the year to do it again. However, about two weeks ago Joe decided he was going to go for the full marathon. I thought this was rather brave because he had not hardly been training at all. But I wouldn't put it past him. He's definitely capable (and a bit overly confident, I must add!). Well........... 6 days before the race when we went on-line to register, he bailed. Just like that. Can you believe it?!! Luckily I had been training with my dear friend Jennifer!!!! So thankful I had a partner for the big day, and a great one at that. I definitely wouldn't have enjoyed doing it alone! After only a few hours of sleep (Micah ended up being up much of the night, for some strange reason. I did not want to let him cry it out for fear of waking Jennifer up!), we got up for the big day. Here we are at 6am getting ready to head downtown...

Joe, his dad, and Wy guy met us at mile 11 to cheer us on and take some pics. It was a very hard and hilly run, but SO much fun! I definitely won't wait 5 years to do another!

Hear I am turning around to say "bye" to Wyatt... he met me for a high 5 then tried to run with me! : )

After Jennifer and I drove the course on Friday night, we both looked at each other and wondered why in the world we just paid $75 to run 13.1mi uphill (yes, the course was about 75% uphill!). The task before us seemed a bit daunting, but we were already in... ready or not! I had originally had 2 goals: to run without stopping and to finish in 2hrs. After driving the course, I decided my new goal was just to cross the FINISH line!! : ) But much to my surprise, we ran strong the whole way and even achieved both goals!!!! Woo Hoo! Here we are coming in for the finish...

Jennifer was the BEST running partner ever. She is an amazing pace setter too! I told her that she should be one of the gals wearing bright green running with the flag in her hand... she's so consistent, uphill or downhill... she stays right on pace (unlike me!).

It was so FUN to have family there to cheer us on. Thanks you guys for making the effort to be there! What a fun day! We are talking about a destination run next time... Maybe Disney?!!!

We got to spend the rest of the weekend with the boys' Grandma and Grandpa McCulley! It was all around a great weekend!

The CO Rockies!

Both of our parents were very kind in staying with a our boys for a few days so Joe and I could spend almost a week in Colorado (with Micah in tow!). Thank you, thank you to both sets of grandparents... you guys are the best and very much appreciated! Joe had a couple of days of training in Denver so we decided it was the cheapest way to take a vacation! The Rocky Mountains have always been a favorite destination for me, so I was in heaven to get to go along!

We got some really SWEET bonding time with Micah Jay! It was so FUN to get to spend the whole week playing with Micah, holding him, and just spoiling him with some much needed one-on-one love and affection! I forgot how easy it is to just have one child in tow! :)

We visited the Celestial Seasonings factory and Tea Shop...

and spent some time in Boulder and Estes Park enjoying the great outdoors!

We got to go on a couple of (icey) hikes up in Estes Park and do some running down in Boulder.

This was mostly what Micah's mountain top experiences looked like. Micah Jay was such a gem... he was super content on the trip to and from CO and even slept most of the time we were there! :)

What a precious week of memories! I'm so GRATEFUL we were able to get away... it was very refreshing to my soul! : )

21 Months. School Carnival. Parents' Day!

Here he is... Isaac Owen at 21 months!

I'm not sure how in the world I let this happen--first time ever--to 'forget' to take a 21-month photo on the actual day. Shame on me! So sorry my sweet middle man... you are definitely still the cream in my oreo! : )

So I'm improvising this month... Here is Isaac celebrating 21 months at Wyatt's school carnival just a few days before his 21 month birthday! He had a BLAST stearing the boat...

playing some basketball... riding the bikes...

getting his face painted! Oh yeah... he's totally ready to for this preschool thing!

I don't think Wyatt thought the carnival was quite as cool as his little bro, but he had fun too getting a football painted on his face...

riding bikes, fishing for prizes, and climbing on lots of equipment! Love this big cheezy smile and the camo vest--that's totally my Wy guy!

Micah Jay was just along for the ride! He loves to observe the action from his cozy little car seat!

Wyatt was so HAPPY and very PROUD to take his daddy to school for parents' day!